Socratic Seminars are basically discussions that are led by you, the students. We are all reading a shared text and you will come up with discussion questions for the group to discuss about it. You will submit the questions ahead of time so that I can ensure there are questions appropriate for a rich discussion. (Pretend that you are a teacher that is teaching this book, what questions would you ask to get your students talking about the book?)
During our socratic seminar, there will be an inner circle and an outer circle.
Inner Circle: Those that are discussing the text and actually speaking/asking the questions
Outer circle: Participating in the discussion via todaysmeet
Behaviors for discussion
Inquiry- socratic seminars are meant for you, the student, to gain a better understanding of the text from your peers. YOU come up with the questions that YOU want discussed and answered.
Response to peers- While engaging in a Socratic seminar, you are learning from your peers. You should be engaged with active listening (not just forming your next thought or what you want to say) and thoughtfully come up with a response to your peer's comment or question.
Communal spirit- the idea behind Socratic seminars is to learn from each other. If we keep this goal in mind, then there will be no need to argue, debate, etc. Everyone comes from a unique background and is entitled to his own beliefs, don't judge others because their opinions are different than yours.
For help on preparing questions for the Socratic Seminar, please visit the following site: Developing Questions
For more background on Socratic seminars, please visit the following site: Socratic Seminars
Opening Question *A question that directs participants to the text
Core Question *(Often "how" or "why") Answers don't come directly from the text, but ask participants to think and share an opinion
Core Question 2 *(Often "how" or "why") Answers don't come directly from the text, but ask participants to think and share an opinion
Closing Question *A question that relates the reading to something "real-world"
Additional Question(s) Type any other question you would like to include
Socratic Seminars are basically discussions that are led by you, the students. We are all reading a shared text and you will come up with discussion questions for the group to discuss about it. You will submit the questions ahead of time so that I can ensure there are questions appropriate for a rich discussion. (Pretend that you are a teacher that is teaching this book, what questions would you ask to get your students talking about the book?)
During our socratic seminar, there will be an inner circle and an outer circle.
Behaviors for discussion
For help on preparing questions for the Socratic Seminar, please visit the following site:
Developing Questions
For more background on Socratic seminars, please visit the following site:
Socratic Seminars
Opening Question *A question that directs participants to the text
Core Question *(Often "how" or "why") Answers don't come directly from the text, but ask participants to think and share an opinion
Core Question 2 *(Often "how" or "why") Answers don't come directly from the text, but ask participants to think and share an opinion
Closing Question *A question that relates the reading to something "real-world"
Additional Question(s) Type any other question you would like to include